Rahway approves $8.5 million bond for arts district

RAHWAY -- Rahway’s council unanimously passed an $8.5 million bond ordinance Monday night to fund downtown construction projects, including a new 1,000-seat theater to be built near the existing Union County Performing Arts Center.

Nore than a dozen Rahway politicians and community leaders spoke in support of the project to a full council chamber. Frequent council critic and Rahway Republican chairman Patrick Cassio called it a “nice project.”

“I want to come offer my support for this project,” said Rahway schools superintendent Frank Buglione, who said it was in line with the goals of the school district to promote new arts facilities under a bond ordinance passed last September.

The 1,100-seat amphitheater facility will be built on a Hamilton Street that was once home to Hamilton Laundry. The project would also include a black box theater next door, as well as the conversion of a 54-unit apartment building into affordable housing geared toward artists, Rahway officials said in November.

Local artists lauded the measure at Monday’s council meeting.

“To me, these ordinances are not about spending a lot of money,” said Jim McKeon, of the Rahway Art Hive. “It’s about determining who we are going to be.”

Several community members and councilmen expressed faith in the goal of using the arts to drive Rahway’s economy.

“The arts will be the engine that will drive the economic train in Rahway,” said councilman Robert Rachlin.

Councilman Jerry Scaturo said he believes the $8.5 million project would employ union workers, who met with the mayor several times to discuss the project.

But two people spoke out against the spending.

Marge Yanus, a resident, said that the project was wasteful spending given the tough economic times.

“I’m not a union worker. I’m just a citizen who hates taxes,” Yanus said. “What is this going to mean to the average person in Rahway?”

Councilman James Baker said that the project would make Rahway a destination city, benefitting all residents directly or indirectly.

“It will benefit all of the city of Rahway, pro or con, whichever side you stand on,” Baker said before voting for the project.

The project should be built by 2011, Rahway mayor James Kennedy said last year.